Watch Over Me

Nina LaCour's latest Watch Over Me (published September 15, 2020), was just lovely. It's one of those quiet sorts of books, so if you're rather more into fast-paced action thrillers or sword swishing fantasies, this might not be something you're going to be into. But at just over 260 pages, it's also a quick read if you want a little change of pace that has a nice ghost story twist to it. High school graduate Mila has aged out of the foster care system and is truly alone when she is given the opportunity to teach at an isolated farm on the California coast. Everyone there seems as broken as she is and Mila is hoping that she will not only find the healing she seeks, but also fellowship. Unfortunately, though it feels like this could be a real home, her past--that which always haunts her--threatens to undo her new friendships. LaCour paints an artsy portrait of grief and longing here. Readers not only see current-day Mila as she desperately tries to become one of the group, but we are treated to the unraveling of her past and what brought her to her moment of loneliness. The twist is poignant and satisfying. Surface level things that I really enjoyed: the cover is simple and pretty; "Someone to Watch Over Me" is one of my favorite songs and often got stuck in my head while reading; I love poppies, though their addition here is tinged with sadness; I appreciate the reference to Rebecca, a book I remember nothing about but do remember liking. Thank you to BookishFirst and Penguin Teen for providing this finished hardcover for review.

It's also a great book to read by the fire